Elton John's final tour revisits LA glory with Lipa, Carlile
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Elton John’s audacious 1970 U.S. debut at a local nightclub moved a critic to declare that the slight young Englishman would become one of rock's most important stars. It didn't take long.
Within five years, his reputation cemented by a string of hits including “Rocket Man” and “Daniel,” fans packed L.A.'s Dodger Stadium for two rousing, sequin-bedecked concerts. This weekend, John will close out the North American leg of his last tour at the ballpark.
He calls it the right choice.
“I started off in Los Angeles at the Troubadour (club), and I want it to end here because it’s been a magical place for me,” John said in an Associated Press interview. The three-night stand is Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17, 19 and 20.
The final L.A. concert will be streamed live on Disney+ starting at 11 p.m. EST Sunday. The three-hour event will open with “Countdown to Elton Live," which includes an interview with John and celebrity shout-outs.
John promised more bell and whistles than at the tour's other concerts — but hopefully without “any elephants or giraffes coming on stage,” he said, a wry reference to “The Lion King.” The Tony-winning hit musical with songs by John and Tim Rice marks its 25th anniversary on Broadway this month.
The stadium stage is "enormous and fantastic. The videos are wonderful. I like to be surprised, so I will be surprised,” John said.
His influence “spans generations, making this last North American stop on his farewell tour one for the record books,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.
The rock ‘n’ roll giant's enduring body of work includes “Your Song," “Tiny Dancer” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” He's earned six Grammy Awards, including a Legend Award, and...